The Letters

Chapter 2 (October-November)
 

December 3, 2021

Most Reverend Colm O’Hara

Bishop of St Anthony’s RC Church

Pittsburgh, PA

My dear friend, this lane has become a wondrous place for the holidays.  I never realized what it took to decorate a home.  I've lived in the world and yet remain sheltered from everyday life.

Immediately after Halloween, Patrick, who is being raised a Christian, asked me about Halloween.  I found it comforting to be able to tell this very perceptive young man how modern day Halloween evolved from Samhain and about All Saints and All Souls days.  He in turn instructed me in the fine art of carving pumpkins.  We made a mess but I can't remember when I had so much fun.

On November 4th, Patrick turned twelve.  For his birthday, his father John Anderson, the same man who has come to the rescue of our church on many occasions, gave Patrick a treehouse.  Not just any treehouse but a rather extraordinary treehouse, one that was instrumental in bringing a fractured family together and cementing it into something strong and wonderful.

The day after we celebrated Patrick's birthday...  

With deep respect and regard,

Thomas Butterfield

*****

"Good morning all," Tom called out as he approached the men of Edna's Treasures who were standing just outside the front door and looking down the lane.  John kept glancing at his watch.

"Good morning," they all responded somewhat distractedly.  Tom stood next to Bobby then looked down the lane as well.  Nothing appeared out of place; the lane was quiet.  The construction on the cabin had been completed and furniture finally delivered and set up to Michael’s satisfaction.  Unfortunately Michael and Ben hadn’t been able to spend more than just a day at a time in the new cabin but were looking forward to the long Thanksgiving weekend.

"Uh, what are we looking for?" Tom whispered, leaning towards Bobby as he did.

"A truck," Bobby succinctly replied.  Tom nodded as if he fully understood.

"What's on the truck?" Tom further whispered.

"The treehouse," Bobby explained.  Tom did some mental mathematics and put two and two together.

"Why are we waiting out here?"  Tom ventured.  After all it was November and even though the sun was out, it wasn't exactly warm.

"Because we are," Bobby said with a sigh and a glance toward his partner.  John took another look at his watch.  Tom looked at the other men that made up this interesting quartet.  Brian just rolled his eyes as Justin sort of bounced in place while wearing a big grin.  The kids had already gone to school.

All of a sudden John cocked his head toward the front door.  The signal that someone triggered the gate sounded and Beau came bounding around the side of the house.  John took a deep breath and then transformed into a foreman complete with hard hat and work gloves.  He took off toward the road waiting for the truck to make it up the lane.  The truck was followed by several more vehicles containing the crew that was going to put the treehouse back together.   Bobby sighed then followed his anxious and anal spouse.  Brian snorted, mumbling something about not ruining his grass while Justin giggled like a big kid.  Tom decided it was safer to stay out of the way and make himself useful by making a fresh pot of coffee so he went inside.

"Hello?" Tom said hearing the clanging of pots and pans, not expecting someone in the kitchen.

"Hellooo!" Emmett replied.  The two men hugged.

"When did you get here?" Tom asked.

"Late last night, Justin called me about the great move so I thought I’d come up to see if I could be of any help,” Emmett said cheerfully and with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Uh huh,” Tom said dubiously.  “You just want an opportunity to ogle some good looking men,” Tom surmised.

“I may be married but I’m not dead.  Besides, I missed all the fun when the cabin was being built.”  Emmett knew the cabin didn’t go up easily and decided he was much better off in Pittsburgh until the cabin was finished.

“How long are you staying?” Tom asked.

“I’ll go back Sunday night.  Drew’s on the road with the Ironmen and I don’t like leaving Richie home all by himself.”

“He’s not a little kid,” Tom commented.

“I know and Teddy’s around, but I waited a long time to become a father and I don’t like missing a minute of it,” Emmett said with a grin and a slight hitch in his voice.

“You’re a good father, Emmett.  Any kid would be proud to have you and Drew as parents,” Tom said.  Emmett’s smile grew bigger then he turned and concentrated on making a large urn of coffee.

“I think the men can use this,” Emmett commented after he cleared his throat.

“I agree.  Do you know if the snack truck is coming?  If not maybe I’ll go to the general store to pick up some donuts or something,” Tom added.

“Oh no, no, no, I brought muffins and other nibbles but they’re at my cottage,” Emmett stated.  “I just needed Brian’s cart,” Emmett explained as he took the utility cart out of a closet.

“I would be very happy to help,” Tom said, volunteering his services.

“Then let’s go,” Emmett said as he turned Tom around toward the door.  Tom laughed as he went willingly.

*****

“Is this it?” Brian griped as he studied the designated tree with a critical eye.

“What?  You don’t like it?” Bobby snapped back ready to defend John’s choice.

“It’s all right,” Brian stated with his usual nonchalance.  Justin stood in the background out of the way of the contest of wills and with a sketch pad in his hands.  He wisely decided that sketching the rebuilding of the treehouse would be a hell of a lot safer than actually participating.  Brian had suggested the use of his toolbelt with a waggle of his eyebrows, but Justin declined, promising that they’d get to use it later in private. 

Justin let the macho men have their macho moments.

Like a swarm of bees building a new colony, John and his men began to attack the tree.  Brian and Bobby took several steps backwards as the guys began to bring in the treehouse parts laying them out in the yard in an order only they knew.  One man carefully drove in a small “cherry-picker,” he lowered the basket and another man jumped in.  As the basket was raised, other men began to put up the scaffolding.

Justin sat on a stump several yards away happily sketching.

Within a few hours the tree had been prepared, the scaffolding erected and the treehouse bolted and secured to the tree.  As John and his men inspected each joint, plank and bolt, Emmett and Tom had prepared the sun porch for the hungry men.  They kept the coffeepots filled and the table laden with muffins, bagels and fruit.  Then as the day progressed, Emmett came in with all the fixings for lunch.

“How do you do that?” Tom asked Emmett in awe of just how efficient Emmett was at keeping the men stoked with energy packed food.

“I really don’t know.  I’ve always had a talent for cooking and just knowing when to show up with snacks.  Maybe all those years hanging out with Debbie,” Emmett said with a grin. 

“There’s something satisfying about seeing someone with that well fed look on their face,” he said with a chuckle. 

Tom caught the innuendo and laughed.  He knew he was hanging around the guys too much but he loved it.  And was happy that none of them appeared to censor themselves around him, as many did when there was a priest in their midst.

“Come on, let’s go raid Brian’s freezer.  I know for a fact he has several steaks and large pieces of chicken begging to be grilled.  These guys deserve something hearty for dinner,” Emmett commented as he led Tom toward the kitchen.  “We can grill.”

“Grill?  Isn’t it a bit too cold to grill outside?” Tom asked.

“Watch and learn,” was the only thing Emmett would say.  Tom knew when he was in the presence of a master; he stood out of the way and learned.

*****

“Dad, when can I go up there?” Patrick asked his father when the men had finished the final clean up and inspection.  John and Patrick were the last two in the yard looking up at the reconstructed treehouse.

“Give it a day to settle then let me take one more look at it.  When I give you the go ahead you can go up, but not before,” John said sternly, giving his son a poignant look.

“I understand, Dad,” Patrick said with a big grin, resisting a roll of his eyes.  Sometimes his father was too protective, Patrick thought.  John gave his son a glare, knowing what Patrick was thinking.  Patrick burst out laughing as he threw his arms around John.  John hugged his son tight and laughed along with Patrick in spite of himself.  John then ruffled his son’s red hair.

“Come on, let’s go inside, it’s getting chilly and I’m hungry,” John said.

“Yeah,” Patrick agreed as they turned to go back into the cottage.

*****

“Halloo!” Emmett called as he walked into Edna’s Treasures.  “I’m here to decorate.”

“Aren’t you always?” Brian said as he looked up from reading his newspaper at the kitchen table.

“Oh pshaw, whatever would you do without my decorating?”

Brian smiled just slightly and waited a few seconds.  He looked unusually thoughtful.  “We’d be lost without you,” he finally admitted in a soft, gentle voice.

“Wha…?  Brian, was that you speaking?” Emmett asked in disbelief of the compliment.

“I can be nice you know,” Brian snapped back, already regretting his previous words.

Emmett slid into the chair across the table from Brian.  “What’s going on?” he demanded.

“Nothing.”

“Are you okay?  Brian … it’s me, Emmett.  I know you, remember!”

“Really, it’s nothing,” Brian repeated hoping that Emmett would leave it alone.

Emmett studied his longtime friend for a couple of minutes, waiting for Brian to speak or to reveal something that would help him figure out what was wrong.  When neither of those things happened, Emmett drew in a deep breath and took a chance on what he suspected might be troubling his friend.  “I know everybody can’t make it for Thanksgiving this year,” Emmett ventured.  Brian raised an eyebrow and looked annoyed.  “Debbie isn’t feeling up to snuff, but lots of people are coming.”

“I know,” was the terse reply.

“So what’s got you in this … mood?”

“I don’t have moods,” Brian replied tersely.

“When I walk in here and almost the first words out of your mouth are a compliment, something’s not right on this lane.  I know something’s wrong, so you might as well tell me.”

“Emmett!” Brian snarled.

“Fine, don’t tell me.  I’ll find out some other way.”  Emmett stood up from the table and was about to go out to the sun porch.  He hesitated and studied Brian for a minute longer.  “We don’t have to do Thanksgiving here,” he suggested.  “I could set up at the B&B.”

“It’s fine having it here,” Brian replied.  “Go work your magic.”

Emmett shrugged and headed out into the sun porch.  Justin was standing in front of a painting studying it.

“Justin,” Emmett said gently, not wanting to startle his friend who seemed deep in thought.

“Oh hi, Emmett,” Justin said.  “Need some help to get ready for tomorrow?”

“It’s always fun to work with you and your artistic sensibilities,” Emmett responded with his gap tooth grin.  “Let’s get started.”

They began moving tables around and getting the set up arranged in the sun porch.  Emmett half expected Brian to come help them, but the man did not appear.

“Is something bothering Brian?” Emmett finally asked.

Justin made a little face.  “He’s feeling a little down,” Justin replied.

“Then we’ll have to cheer him up,” Emmett said enthusiastically.

“I … I’d just leave it alone,” Justin said hesitantly.  “He’ll be okay.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Please, Emmett, let it go,” Justin asked.

“Okay,” Emmett said with a frown.  He didn’t want to interfere, but he didn’t like what was happening with his friend.

*****

Everyone who was attending the Thanksgiving dinner at Edna’s Treasures had arrived.  The smaller group was very convivial, and less raucous without Debbie and some of the other Pittsburgh people.  The other grandparents were all there and the residents of the lane.  Drinks were doled out.  Emmett had purchased some delicious apple cider from a local farm.  The group seemed to be enjoying some quiet talk as they sat around the sun porch waiting for dinner to be served.

Emmett glanced up from his duties and realized that Brian was nowhere to be seen.  He walked out into the sun porch and looked around.  No Brian.  He scanned the backyard and noticed that Brian was over by the Wendy house staring at one of his gardens.  He was about to go out to the man when he saw Bree come from behind the Wendy house and place her hand in Brian’s.  Emmett decided it was best to leave father and daughter alone.  He went back to refilling the cups of cider.

*****

“Dada,” Bree said looking up at her very silent father.  “I miss her too.”

“I know,” Brian replied.

“I wish she was here.” 

“Yeah.”

“But I don’t think Gamma Joan would like it that you’re sad,” Bree stated with all the wisdom of her nine years.

Brian turned to his daughter and looked into the clear violet eyes.  He thought about her words.  “You’re right,” he said slowly.  “I don’t think this will ever be a happy day for me, but it can be a … family day.  We’ll think about her and remember, but nobody else has to know.”

“I think they know, Dada.  We can always talk about Gamma Joan together … by ourselves.”

“True, my brilliant Squirt,” Brian said with a smile finally turning up the corners of his mouth.  “Let’s go stuff ourselves with turkey.”  Brian turned towards the house.

“You never stuff yourself, Dada.  Neither do I.  I think we eat sensibly.”

Brian chuckled.  “Yeah, sensibly.”  It seemed supremely ironic that his nine year old daughter should arrive at such a conclusion.  But of course she was absolutely right, and he had become much more sensible in his … middle years.  Who would have thought?

“Happy Thanksgiving, Squirt.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Dada.”

Father and daughter walked hand in hand to the sun porch to finally join the holiday celebration.

*****

“Have you settled in?” Emmett, the unofficial host of the lane asked Ben as he stood at the sun porch window watching the sun set.

“Yes, I think we have.  It’s beautiful here,” Ben said with a wistful sigh.

“I agree.  Do Hunter and Nick like their room?”

“Considering they hardly left it since they got here, I think they like it just fine,” Ben chuckled.  Emmett giggled.

“No JR?” Emmett commented.

“She decided to stay with Lindsay and Candy this time.  They’re at Deb’s today.  She and Candy will be spending the Christmas break here.”

“Good.  I know Debbie didn’t feel up to driving up here but she and Carl shouldn’t be alone,” Emmett said.

“Believe me they have a full house,” Ben assured his friend.  “I heard that Gus decided to spend this weekend in Pittsburgh, and Ted and Allen are there too.”

The two friends were quiet for a few minutes before Emmett asked about Michael.  “How’s Michael doing, really?”

“He’s fine, Emm, he really is okay.  Sometimes he gets a little achy,” Ben said.

“Don’t we all,” Emmett said as he placed his hands on his back then leaned back.  He and Ben heard a pop. 

“I guess we’re all getting older,” Ben said.

“Except for Brian and Justin,” Emmett said as he and Ben glanced over to where Brian and Justin stood speaking with Claire and Steve.  Ben looked at his special friends who truly appeared ageless.  Justin’s hair was still a bright blond and his youthful looking face unlined, at least as far as Ben could see.  Brian may have had a few grays at his temples but it didn’t age him.  He just looked more gorgeous and certainly more distinguished.

“How do they do it?” Ben asked himself.

“Only the gods know,” Emmett replied with a grin.  “Come on, let’s join the party.”  Emmett said as he led Ben back into the fray of their family.

*****

“Uncle Bi!”  Taylor ran through the sun porch dodging the adults, chairs and tables to throw himself at his uncle.

“Whoa, little man!” Brian exclaimed as he caught the blond tornado and hoisted him safely into his arms.  “And where are you off to?” Brian asked noting that the child was bundled up in his coat, hat and gloves.

“Bee and Patwick are taking me to the tweehouse!” Taylor told him.

“Are they now; and did you get permission from your mommy and daddy?” Brian asked.  Taylor nodded vigorously.  Brian looked to Molly who walked over.  She had a small flashlight in her hand.

“It’s okay, Brian, really,” Molly assured Brian. 

“It’s cold,” Brian stated the obvious.

“They won’t be out there long.  Owen and Bobby are going with them,” Molly said before Brian could ask.

“There will be plenty of other days that Taylor can play in the treehouse; he doesn’t have to go out there now,” Brian said softly.  Molly smiled; her big bad brother-in-law who never thought he could ever be a good father was one of the best fathers Molly ever knew.

“He’ll be fine.  He needs to work off some of this energy or else he’ll never get to sleep tonight.  He’s so excited to be here.  This is really his first Thanksgiving that he understands.”  Molly smiled up at Brian, giving him her own sunny smile.  The corners of Brian’s mouth couldn’t help but turn up.  Molly had that Taylor smile and he in no way could resist.  Brian leaned down, giving her cheek a kiss.  He then put Taylor down as Patrick and Bree approached with Owen and Bobby.

“Behave yourself, young man,” Brian said to Taylor, giving the tot a stern look.

“Okay!” Taylor promised looking sweetly up at his uncle.  Brian shook his head not believing that innocent look for a second.

Bree and Patrick each took one of Taylor’s tiny hands as they all walked out and around to the treehouse. 

Brian smiled as they left.  Somehow life was coming full circle.

*****

“Was Brian okay today?  He seemed a little, I don’t know, quiet,” Todd asked Tom as they entered the B&B.  Tom gave him a look.  “I mean even more quiet for Brian,” Todd said with a slight roll to his eyes.

“His mother has been gone a year; perhaps he’s feeling the loss a little too keenly right now,” Tom offered a possible explanation.

“Maybe you’re right,” Todd agreed as he stood by the door not sure of what to do.

“Coffee?” Tom asked. 

“Decaf?” Todd replied with a grin.

“I think that can be arranged,” Tom grinned back as he headed for the kitchen.  He was beginning to like ending the day with Todd.

“I like it here,” Todd admitted.  “With you,” he added.  “I mean I like it here on this lane and with you.”  Todd blushed deeply.

“I can get used to being here with you too,” Tom whispered.  Todd slowly approached Tom then leaned in for a chaste kiss.  Their eyes met for a brief moment.

“Coffee?” Todd said.

“Coffee,” Tom repeated as they went to the kitchen.

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